HIV/AIDS Training in CACREP‐Approved Counselor Education Programs

Abstract

This article presents the results of a survey mailed to 64 CACREP‐approved counselor education graduate programs to explore the amount and the level of training provided on HIV/AIDS. The results show that 51% of the programs offered at least a colloquium on basic information about HIV/AIDS. The survey also explored course work that might be indirectly related to HIV/AIDS, as well as other courses directly related to the topic. Suggestions are made for ways to incorporate HIV/AIDS training into counselor education programs.

HIV/AIDS Knowledge Among Professional Counselors and Counseling Students in Ohio

“…What's more, less than a dozen acquired knowledge through a presentation within their community (n = 11), and almost none reported attending a professional counseling continuing education opportunity for HIV/AIDS knowledge (n = 2). With knowledge as a precursor to skill (Carney et al, 1996;Hunt, 1996) these results may provide hope that counselors have at least a basic working knowledge about HIV/AIDS which in turn benefits the clients with which they interact. The impetus of such knowledge by counselors is arguably important for the prevention of infection, reduction of stigma and discrimination, facilitation of informed conversation with clients and/or families, rapport building, and increased competence.…”

“…Moreover, counselor trainees, professional counselors, professional clinical counselors, and school counselors who work with MSM, youth, and/or Black/African Americans must be on particular readiness given these populations contribute to the majority of new HIV infections. Hunt (1996) recognized the need for counselor training programs to adequately train their students on the topic area yet found a lack of such education being provided. Such lack of focus in counselor education programs remains true still today, perhaps because it is an area often overlooked given current training program standards.…”

“…The lack of training standards leaves our profession with a dearth of knowledge base for counselors at all levels. Counselor education programs may be relatively lax in training on the HIV-infected population, even with basic HIV/AIDS education programming already established and integration into existing core classwork possible (Hunt, 1996; Ohio Department of Health Education Development Committee, 2012; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2008).…”

“…Knowledge is a precursor to skill development, which in turn contributes to comfort level in the application of both (Carney et al, 1996;Hunt, 1996). Consequently, determining current knowledge level of professional counselors and counseling students is needed to better understand their HIV/AIDS educational needs.…”

“…Their participants had a positive attitude toward PLHIV. Hunt (1996) surveyed 62 counseling programs that were accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Forty-three (69%) programs returned a completed survey, and of those only a little more than one half were incorporating at least some HIV/AIDS education to counseling students.…”